John 13:20
Reflect on this powerful verse from John 13:20: "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
What does it mean to accept someone? It's more than just a greeting, more than just acknowledging a person's existence. To accept someone means to welcome them, to listen, and to treat them with respect and love. One might ask, why is acceptance so important?
When a person is sent by Christ, accepting them goes beyond the physical presence. It involves accepting the message and love they carry. How often does one truly listen to the message others bring? In accepting someone sent by Christ, one is not only opening the door to another person but also opening a path to understanding Christ better.
Consider the unity expressed in this verse. Accepting someone sent by Christ means accepting Christ, and accepting Christ means accepting God, the one who sent Him. It's a chain of acceptance, a connection that binds believers together. What does this interconnectedness mean for our daily lives? Could it mean that every act of kindness and acceptance has a deeper, divine significance?
Reflecting on this, one might wonder: How can one be more accepting of others? Is there a way to see Christ in the people met every day, whether they are family, friends, or strangers? Accepting others is not always easy. There are times when differences, misunderstandings, or prejudices create barriers. But this verse challenges believers to look beyond those barriers and find Christ in everyone.
What about those who are difficult to accept? The people who challenge patience or beliefs? This is perhaps the truest test of acceptance. If Christ is seen in everyone, then the effort to accept even the difficult ones becomes a spiritual practice, a way to deepen the connection to the divine.
Consider the implications for community. How does acceptance shape the way a community functions? In a community where everyone accepts each other as sent by Christ, there's no room for hatred, discrimination, or indifference. Such a community would be built on love, understanding, and mutual respect. Isn’t that the kind of world everyone hopes for?
Moreover, this verse invites reflection on the role of being sent. What if one is the person being sent by Christ to others? How does one carry oneself, knowing that in every interaction, there's an opportunity to represent Christ and God who sent Him? This perspective can transform the way one approaches relationships and conversations. Every word, every action, becomes a reflection of the divine mission.
In summary, this verse from John 13:20 is a profound reminder of the significance of acceptance. By accepting those sent by Christ, believers connect with Christ Himself and, ultimately, with God. It challenges believers to cultivate a spirit of acceptance, to see the divine in everyone, and to build communities rooted in love and respect. What steps can be taken today to live out this teaching? How can one more deeply accept and welcome others, embodying the love and mission of Christ in every interaction?
